Singapore's Underwater World

There is something about the water that calms me. Maybe in my past, I must have been one of the colorful nocturnal creatures of the sea.

That's why during a trip to Singapore, I made it a point to visit Sentosa Island. If five million tourists who troop to the famous island resort annually think it's worth their while, then so am I.

Sentosa means "peace and tranquility" in Malay. The island boasts of a two-kilometer sheltered beach, two golf courses, Fort Siloso--one of the batteries during World War II--and my favorite, the Underwater World.

Underwater World Singapore is a unique and well-known oceanarium showcasing some 2,500 marine life from 250 species from around the regions. Since its opening in 1991, its exhibits had wowed more than 20 million visitors.

I began my 'voyage to the bottom of the sea' at the water’s edge, with shallow rock turtle and ray pools. Brightly colored corals and exotic ocean dwellers such as moray eels, sea dragons and jelly fishes greeted me.

Then I embarked on a spectacular underwater journey through the 83-metre-long moving travelator with a tunnel housing the majestic rays, fearsome sharks, great shoals of other fishes and a host of other creatures that inhabit the ocean depths.

It was an amazing experience. It was literally being underwater with huge dugongs swimming above--without getting wet .

But Filipinos need not fly to nearby Singapore for a taste of an underwater thrill. Manila Ocean Park partly opened its doors in March this year.

It is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc, a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc, a Singaporean-registered firm that has operated four oceanariums in China.

In terms of floor space, the 8,000 square metres oceanarium is larger than Sentosa's Underwater World. But its 25 metres underwater acrylic tunnel is far shorter than Sentosa's tunnel.

See you at Manila Ocean Park soon!